The Lakers were eliminated by the Nuggets 1-4 and fell at the feet of the Nuggets for two consecutive seasons, which is embarrassing. However, compared with last season, this time, the Lakers can leave with their heads held high, even if the ending is regrettable, but the performance of the two giants James and thick eyebrows is enough to make the Lakers optimistic about next season.
However, the next offseason will be a key point in determining the future direction of the Lakers, because after the season, James has $51.42 million left on his contract and has a player option. This also means that James can choose to jump out of his contract, join another team or retire!
However, judging from James' current physical condition, the possibility of choosing to retire is extremely low. James' agent, Ricky Paul, was recently on the show, and when asked if James would continue to play in the NBA next season, he also said: "I think we'll see him again next season, I think he has gas in the tank, and he can last for two to three years." ”
The information revealed by Ricky Paul is already obvious, and judging from James' performance throughout the season, his form is still more than most players in the league, and there is no indication that he is an old man who is about to turn 40!
For the Lakers, despite being eliminated in the first round of this season, being able to keep the core combination of James and Bushy Eyebrows means that they will still be listed as a team in the championship ranks. What's more, in the big ball city of Los Angeles, even if they can't win the championship, as long as they have James and keep enough stars to watch, they are one of the most profitable teams in the league, and I believe that the shareholders of Jeanie Buss and the Lakers will know very well in their hearts.
Therefore, this summer, the first priority for Lakers management is to find a way to keep James. According to Shams' latest revelation, the Lakers will offer James two attractive conditions in order to allow him to stay with the Lakers in the future.
After the game, Shams wrote that team sources revealed that James has a better relationship with Lakers owner Jenny than ever, and the Lakers are willing to accept it regardless of how James returns, including offering James a three-year, $164 million max contract extension.
At the same time, Shams also revealed that the Lakers are willing to help James fulfill the desire of father and son to be on the same stage by directly selecting Bronny.
These two conditions, for James, are definitely very tempting.
The 3-year 164 million maximum salary contract gives the 39-year-old James enough respect and is extremely in line with his current state, and at the same time, when the contract expires, James is just 42 years old, such a contract is obviously a pension contract full of sincerity.
And a few years ago, James expressed his desire to share the stage with his son in the NBA. The Lakers have the No. 17 pick in the first round this year (with the Pelicans having the right of first refusal) and the No. 55 pick in the second round. Bronny's draft prospects are expected to be late in the first round or the second round, which makes the Lakers more than capable of bringing Bronny to Los Angeles.
A top-salary pension contract, coupled with the desire of father and son to be on the same stage, is obviously difficult for James to refuse. But what choice James will make in the end, let's wait and see!